Intra-operative process efficiency for in-room MRI-guided combined intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance image-guided brachytherapy (MRgBT) is the gold-standard treatment for cervical cancer. This study examined workflow times in an integrated MRgBT suite and conventional operating room (OR), and factors contributing to intraoperative efficiency.

Methods And Materials: Consecutive patients with FIGO stage IB-IVA cervical cancer who underwent MRgBT procedures between 2019-2022 were retrospectively reviewed.

Selective radiation-enhancing effects of a muscle-derived dipeptide in an orthotopic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) xenograft mouse model.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) is a standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Radiosensitizers enhance radiation-mediated cancer cell elimination but lack selectivity and therefore also enhance normal tissue damage. L-carnosine (CAR) shows promise, having selective radiation-enhancing properties in vitro.

Impact of range uncertainties for intensity-modulated mixed electron-photon radiation therapy.

Background: In the context of mixed electron-photon radiation therapy (MBRT), while the necessity of robust optimization to setup uncertainties is well-established, range uncertainties have yet to be investigated.

Purpose: This study provides the first assessment of the impact of range uncertainties on MBRT plans.

Methods: The percent depth dose of 2 electron beams (6 MeV and 20 MeV) and 1 photon beam (6 MV) are calculated by Monte Carlo using EGSnrc in slab phantoms.

Can knowledge-based planning models validated on ethnically diverse patients lead to global standardisation of external beam radiation therapy for locally advanced cervix cancer?

Background And Purpose: Knowledge-based planning (KBP) can consistently and efficiently create high-quality Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) plans for cervix cancer. This study describes the cross-validation of two KBP models on geographically distinct populations and their comparison to manual plans from 67 centers. The purpose was to determine the universal applicability of a generic KBP model.

Stability Studies of a Tetraethyl Orthosilicate-Based Thixotropic Drug Delivery System.

This study assessed the effects of formulation components on the long-term stability of a previously described tetraethyl orthosilicate-based drug delivery system. Early stability studies of a product concept are crucial not only to provide information on the overall system stability and individual components' contributions to it, but also to identify opportunities for dosage form optimization and to define its use case. We assessed the time-dependent thixogel properties-specifically, mechanical strength, thixotropy, release of model drug, and dry substance-in both real-time and accelerated shelf-life determination set-ups.

The Application of Fluorescence Anisotropy for Viscosity Measurements of Small Volume Biological Analytes.

Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy has been extensively used to detect changes in bimolecular rotation associated with viscosity levels within cells and other solutions. Physiological alterations of the viscosity of biological fluids have been associated with numerous pathological causes. This current work serves as proof of concept for a method to measure viscosity changes in small analyte volumes representative of biological fluids.

characterization of novel hyaluronan-antioxidant conjugates as potential topical therapeutics against hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss affects roughly 430 million people worldwide. Current treatment options often require invasive medical procedures, and to date, there are no FDA-approved drug therapies. While the causes can be diverse, noise induced hearing loss is unequivocally associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, and subsequent damage to the inner ear structures.

Hyaluronic acid-ibuprofen conjugation: a novel ototherapeutic approach protecting inner ear cells from inflammation-mediated damage.

There is a substantial need of effective drugs for the treatment of hearing loss, which affects nearly 500 million individuals globally. Hearing loss can be the result of intense or prolonged noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, infections, and trauma, which trigger inflammatory signaling cascades that lead to irreversible damage to cochlear structures. To address this, we developed and characterized a series of covalent conjugates of anti-inflammatory drugs to hyaluronic acid (HA), for potential use as topical ototherapeutics.

Colorimetric Properties of Silk Fibroin.

Recent reports highlighted several novel applications for the silk fibroin (SF), as edible coatings for the preservation of food freshness, smart labels, or packaging materials. This study complements these reports and additionally describes the colorimetric sensing properties of the natural protein that could be explored to enhance the practical value of such applications. Our data show that in response to pH changes, reconstituted SF is able to undergo visible color changes that correlate with the intensity of the stimuli, regardless of its physical format or physical cross-linking state.

Quality assurance for mixed electron-photon beam radiation therapy using treatment log files and MapCHECK.

Background: Mixed photon-electron beam radiotherapy (MBRT) is a technique that combines the use of both photons and electrons in one single treatment plan to exploit their advantageous and complimentary characteristics. Compared to other photon treatment modalities, it has been shown that the MBRT technique contributes to better target coverage and organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing. However, the use of combined photons and electrons in one delivery makes the technique more complex and a well-established quality assurance (QA) protocol for MBRT is essential.

Robust mixed electron-photon radiation therapy planning for soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: Mixed electron-photon beam radiation therapy (MBRT) is an emerging technique in which external electron and photon beams are simultaneously optimized into a single treatment plan. MBRT exploits the steep dose falloff and high surface dose of electrons while maintaining target conformity by leveraging the sharp penumbra of photons.

Purpose: This study investigates the dosimetric benefits of MBRT for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients.

A versatile, bioengineered skin reconstruction device designed for use in austere environments.

Austere environments in which access to medical facilities, medical personnel, or even water and electricity is limited or unavailable pose unique challenges for medical device product design. Currently existing skin substitutes are severely inadequate for the treatment of severe burns, chronic wounds, battlefield injuries, or work-related injuries in resource-limited settings. For such settings, an ideal device should be biocompatible, bioresorbable, promote tissue healing, not require trained medical personnel for deployment and use, and should enable topical drug delivery.

Validation of an orthotopic non-small cell lung cancer mouse model, with left or right tumor growths, to use in conformal radiotherapy studies.

Orthotopic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mice models are important for establishing translatability of in vitro results. However, most orthotopic lung models do not produce localized tumors treatable by conformal radiotherapy (RT). Here we report on the performance of an orthotopic mice model featuring conformal RT treatable tumors following either left or right lung tumor cell implantation.

Tools for large-scale data analytics of an international multi-center study in radiation oncology for cervical cancer.

Purpose: To develop and implement a software that enables centers, treating patients with state-of-the-art radiation oncology, to compare their patient, treatment, and outcome data to a reference cohort, and to assess the quality of their treatment approach.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive data dashboard was designed, which al- lowed holistic assessment of institutional treatment approaches. The software was tested in the ongoing EMBRACE-II study for locally advanced cervical cancer.

Manufacturability of a Tetraethyl Orthosilicate-Based Hydrogel for Use as a Single Application Otitis Externa Therapeutic.

Otitis externa, also known as outer ear infection, is a frequent affliction in both humans and animals. The most prevalent treatment for otitis externa is ear drops, but it is difficult to adhere properly to this treatment, causing poor patient compliance and the potential for complications. As a result, we have developed a tetraethyl orthosilicate-based hydrogel for use as single application treatment for otitis externa to increase ease of use and improve patient outcomes.

An In Vitro Model for Characterization of Drug Permeability across the Tympanic Membrane.

Otic disorders, such as otitis media and hearing loss, affect a substantial portion of the global population. Despite this, oto-therapeutics, in particular those intended to treat hearing loss, have seen limited development and innovation. A significant factor to this is likely a result of the inherent costs and complexities of drug discovery and development.

Development and Characterization of an In Vitro Round Window Membrane Model for Drug Permeability Evaluations.

Hearing loss and balance disorders are highly common disorders, and the development of effective oto-therapeutics remains an area of intense research. Drug development and screening in the hearing research field heavily rely on the use of preclinical models with often ambiguous translational relevance. This often leads to failed advancement in the market of effective therapeutics.

An Evaluation of the Drug Permeability Properties of Human Cadaveric In Situ Tympanic and Round Window Membranes.

It is estimated that hearing loss currently affects more than 1.5 billion people, or approximately 20% of the global population; however, presently, there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved therapeutics or prophylactics for this condition. While continued research on the development of otoprotective drugs to target this clear unmet need is an obvious path, there are numerous challenges to translating promising therapeutic candidates into human clinical testing.

Development and Characterization of a Topically Deliverable Prophylactic Against Oxidative Damage in Cochlear Cells.

Hearing loss affects roughly 466 million people worldwide. While the causes of hearing loss are diverse, mechanistically, inflammation and oxidative stress have been identified as major players in hearing loss regardless of pathogenesis. Treatment options remain extremely limited and there is currently no FDA approved drug therapy.

Ion chamber and film-based quality assurance of mixed electron-photon radiation therapy.

Purpose: In previous work, we demonstrated that mixed electron-photon radiation therapy (MBRT) produces treatment plans with improved normal tissue sparing and similar target coverage, when compared to photon-only plans. The purpose of this work was to validate the MBRT delivery process on a Varian TrueBeam accelerator and laying the groundwork for a patient-specific quality assurance (QA) protocol based on ion chamber point measurements and 2D film measurements.

Methods: MC beam models used to calculate the MBRT dose distributions of each modality (photons/electrons) were validated with a single-angle beam MBRT treatment plan delivered on a slab of Solid Water phantom with a film positioned at a depth of 2 cm.

Characterization of combined intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy including oblique needles in locally advanced cervix cancer.

Purpose: To characterize and report on dosimetric outcomes of image guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) using intracavitary and interstitial (IC/IS) applicators including oblique needles (O-needles) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

Methods And Materials: Twenty LACC patients treated with radio-chemotherapy and offered IC/IS-IGABT including O-needles were analyzed. An in-house 3D-printed vaginal template was used to steer the needles parallel and obliquely in relation to the tandem, supplemented with free-hand needles if needed.

Vaginal dose-surface maps in cervical cancer brachytherapy: Methodology and preliminary results on correlation with morbidity.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop a methodology for vaginal dose-surface maps (DSMs) in patients with cervix cancer and to investigate dose-surface histogram metrics as predictors for vaginal stenosis (St) and mucositis (Muc).

Methods And Materials: Thirty-one patients with locally advanced cervix cancer with no vaginal St/Muc (CTCAE-v3) G ≥ 2 at baseline were analyzed. Patients were divided in four morbidity groups: 15 with St/Muc G0/1, 6 with St G ≥ 2, 4 with St/Muc G ≥ 2, and 6 with Muc G ≥ 2.

Recombinant Silk Fibroin Crystalline Regions as Biomaterial Alternatives to the Full-Length Protein.

Silk fibroin is a natural polymer with a unique repetitive structure that translates to extraordinary properties in terms of processability and mechanical properties. The silk has a molecular weight of ∼415 kDa and consists of a light chain and a heavy chain. Its heavy chain is organized into 12 crystalline domains.

Single Application Cold-Chain Independent Drug Delivery System for Outer Ear Infections.

Outer ear infections (OE) affect millions of people annually with significant associated healthcare costs. Incorrect administration or non-compliance with the treatment regimen can lead to infection persistence, recurrence, antibiotic resistance, and in severe cases aggravation to malignant otitis externa. Such issues are particularly pertinent for military personnel, patients in nursing homes, the geriatric population, for patients with head or hand tremors and for those with limited or no access to proper healthcare.